Community Events & What’s On...

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TUNSTEAD MAHJONG GROUP is a small, friendly and informal group of ladies and men who meet to play Mahjong once a week, on a Friday morning from 10.00am until 1.00pm. At a members home in Tunstead. We are a mixed ability group who would welc ome both those who have played before and total beginners, the latter of whom we are happy to teach. Mahjong is a game played with tiles. The object of the game is to collect sets of particular tiles rather like the card game Rummy. If you enjoy games such as bridge, chess or playing cards, then you might like to join us. If you are interested to play or you would just like to come along and see the game in progress, please telephone Carol on 01603 929368 or email carol_hodgkiss@hotmail.com

STALHAM & DISTRICT BRANCH, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - We are relaunching the branch and are seeking members, new and existing, to join us at our new monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month from 7.00pm, at the Swan Public House, High Street, Stalham. Meetings will be of an informal, social nature, with the accent on a regular meet, greet and friendly chat for ex -service personnel, their families and friends, living in Stalham and surrounding villages. All are welcome, whether ex - Forces or otherwise. For further information please contact Robert Glenister email robert.glenister@yahoo.com or via our facebook page, www.facebook.com/ stalhamroyalbritishlegion

HORNING BRIDGE CLUB Further information can be found on our website: www.bridgewebs.com/ horning or telephone Ann Riley (chairman) – 01603 782009.

HOVETON FARMERS & PRODUCERS MARKET

Usually held on the 4th Saturday of every month at Spixworth Village Hall 9.30 to 12.30. Come along for all your fresh produce including Fresh Fish, Meat, Fruit & Veg, Cakes, Bread and Preserves. Plus a wide variety of handmade craft stalls offering beautiful original gift ideas. Refreshments available.

WROXHAM, HOVETON AND BELAUGH VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY CARS:

Transport to Medical Appointments Charity No. 1044332

We have a team of volunteer drivers who are prepared to take anyone in need of transport to a medical appointment e.g doctors, dentists, opticians, hospitals. The areas we cover are for people registered at Hoveton/Wroxham Medical Practice, e.g. Salhouse, Rackheath, Horning, Tunstead, so if you live in any of these surrounding villages, you will be able to use our service. We also take patients registered at The Coltishall Surgery who live in the Wroxham/Hoveton area. We do make a nominal charge, depending on the distance, to cover the drivers ’ running costs. We do have wheelchairs available but you must have sufficient mobility to get in and out of the car as none of our vehicles are wheelchair accessible. For further details with regards to booking a car, please phone: 01603 784 455

STALHAM COMMUNITY GYM STALHAM COMMUNITY GYM continues to provide a fabulous, friendly and affordable gym facility for the people of Stalham and surrounding areas. We still have the same moto “health and well - being for all”. The fully equipped, airconditioned gym is based at The Poppy Centre, Recreation Road, Stalham, NR12 9BH. Our qualified Instructors can provide you with a programme designed for you individually whatever your needs and abilities. We support Yoga classes on Friday mornings and members are entitled to a discounted fee for these classes.

Our opening times are Monday 8am to midday (Boxfit with Ric at 11am to 1130am). Wednesday 9am to midday. Thursday 8am to midday with Helen. (Circuit Class at 10 am). Friday 8am to midday and Sunday 9am to 11am.

We are also open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings between 6pm and 8pm with Instructor Paul.

Membership fees are £25 per month adult, £15 pm under 18’s. Concessions are available. Or, you can Pay As You Go at £5 per session.

Telephone Helen between 9am and 6pm on 07716 811696 for more information.

Aternatively, contact us on the gym mobile 07547 321874 during opening hours or email stalhamcommunitygym@gmail.com and we will get back to you. Find us on Facebook Stalham Community Gym, Next Door Stalham or www.stalhamcommunitygym.org.uk

We provide a safe, friendly, supportive environment for all members of the local community and surrounding areas and look forward to welcoming new and existing members.

222 (BROADLANDS) SQUADRON RAFAC - We are a youth organisation sponsored by the RAF. We meet on Monday and Friday evenings at Broadland High Ormiston Academy and get up to everything from flying and shooting, to sport and adventure activities. If you are at least 12 years -old and in Year 8 at school come along and find out for yourself if being an Air Cadet is for you. Get in touch via our website (www.222 -atc.org.uk) to arrange a taster visit to Squadron.

Community Events & What ’s On...

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WROXHAM WI meets on the third Wednesday afternoon of most months at the Church Hall, Wroxham. The meetings start at 2.15 p.m. Please ring Roz on 01603 781155 if you would like to find out more. Everyone most welcome!

Feb/March Events

HOVETON, WROXHAM & DISTRICT GARDENING

CLUB - On Friday February 10th , please note change of date, 7.30p.m., at the Hub on Norwich Road, Wroxham the AGM will take place. After which we will supply refreshments and gardening associated quizzes. We hope you will all come and enjoy the evening. Don't forget the monthly bloom, plus the extra competition of a pot or pan of bulbs, dafs, hyacinths etc. Raffle. Congratulations to Maggie December competition winner. More details Pam 01603 782041.

STALHAM & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Lecture entitled –“Gardening for Wildlife” by Simon Harrap, to be held in the Poppy Centre, off Recreation Road in Stalham (NR12 9BH) on Friday 17th February, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Raffle and refreshments.

Lecture entitled –“Chrysanthemums in an Ideal World” – by Simon White from Chelsea Gold Medal winning nursery – Peter Beales, to be held in the “The Poppy Centre”, off Recreation Road in Stalham (NR12 9BH), on Friday 17th March, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Raffle and refreshments. Please note Simon normally brings gardening items for sale, so bring your cash and cards.

WROXHAM FLOWER CLUB The Club will be changing venues and moving to its new home: RACKHEATH VILLAGE HALL, Green Lane West, NR13 6LT, from Wednesday, 8th February, 7.30 pm when Susan Horne from Great Baddow is making arrangements entitled, “Floral Cavalcade”.

Then on 8th March, 7.30 pm, Pat Barton will be demonstrating, giving us her slant on beautiful floral arrangements.

Although we are moving home to Rackheath Village Hall, nothing else is changing which means that refreshments including home made cake follow each demonstration and the gorgeous arrangements will be raffled as usual.

We look forward to seeing and welcoming you at Rackheath. For further information please contact Rosie Howell on 07539 764196.

WOMACK HERONS is a social group with a year round programme of events usually focused in the Northern Broads and Norwich areas. Some of our activities are riverside offering the opportunity for a pleasant cruise for our boating members, however all events are accessible by road. Our informal meetings always include the opportunity to eat togetherand often a walk, quiz, talk or visit to a place of interest. We welcome visitors and new members; membership is £5pp/pa. For information and full details of events see www.womackherons.org.uk ; to book contact Tricia at tricia@womackherons.org.uk or 07931 301606.

Our events in February and March are:

Tues 7th Feb: Hidden Street History Tour, Castle Meadow Norwich, 11.30am followed by lunch at Cote Brasserie 1pm. Booking for tour closed 12th January, booking for lunch by 31st January.

Weds 8th March: Spring Walk in Blickling followed by lunch at The Buckinghamshire Arms, 1pm. Booking required by 28th February.

Tues 28th March: Spring Supper at The Rising Sun, Coltishall, 7pm. Booking required by 14th March.

Whb Twinning Association

Our coach party to La Pommeraye and Montjean -sur -Loire, 9 -15th August 2023 is now about 45 strong, so we will be taking an excellent number of members to visit our French friends this year, the biggest group for a long time, I think. The coach company are also arranging our night’s hotel stay en route and visit to Giverny, Monet’s Gardens, which we are all looking forward to also. We will have more visits, of course, with our friends on the Loire as well, including the famous Puy du Fou theme park, a Loire chateau, the Cointreau distill- ery etc. Roll on August!

Before then, we are organising our usual post -Christmas dinner on Friday 17 th February at The Bridge Restaurant in Wroxham and also a Quiz and Supper Evening on Saturday 18th March in Wroxham Church hall. Details and menus for the dinner will go out to members soon and they will be organising their teams of six for our popular quiz night. Do let us know if you ’ d like a table and contact our chairman on the details below. The more, the merrier.

Book Club continues on the third Wednesday of the month, December was “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernadine Everisto and January, Aileen ’s choice of “City of Girls ” by Elizabeth Gilbert. We had an excellent Christmas lunch in the Bridge Restaurant in Wroxham on 21st December, great food, wine and company. Pat can get copies of most of our books from Wroxham library, who are always very helpful, and can supply more information for now on 01603 782375 or pat.barkergreen@btinternet.com. For any more information please contact us, via Peter, on 01603 782733 or peter_c_milsted@talk21.com

TASTER CHESS TOURNAMENT FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS

players who have previous experience of playing tournament chess. John Wickham (NCCA Chair) commented “We welcome players of different abilities to come along and have an enjoyable afternoon playing chess and meeting other local players. We hope to have players from throughout Broadland and North Norfolk taking part. There will also be tea and cake available. Profits from the event will be used to help buy additional chess equipment for North Walsham Library Chess Club.”

Potential players and parents / carers interested in finding out more or booking a place can contact: Jonathan Reeve - e-mail: aylshamchessclub@gmail.com / Tel: 01263 - 733744

Norfolk County Chess Association (NCCA) and North Walsham Library Chess Club are organising a Chess Tournament for children and adults at North Walsham Community Centre, New Road, North Walsham on the afternoon of Friday 17th February.

The event will have two sections: The Junior section is aimed at giving children up to the age of 16 years a first experience of playing competitive chess.

The Open section is aimed at adult players of all standards and junior

THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK

Wroxham Library

Below are some of the events and services we offer but see our Facebook page or call the library on 01603 782560.

• NEW Chess. Last Thursday of the month, February 23 rd February, 10.30 - midday. Beginner ’s welcome.

• NEW Digifest is happening at Wroxham library this February! Our free, family -friendly events will give you the chance to use new technology in exciting, innovative ways. Visit our Facebook page or enquire in the library for more information.

• Lego and Art club . Every Wednesday 3.30 - 4.30pm. Put your building skills to the test or relax and get creative at our combined Lego and Art Club. For children aged 5 -11. Under 8s must be accompanied.

• Knit and Natter – not just for knitters! Bring your embroidery, textile, or crochet project along to our informal gathering. Thursday 2 nd February, 2.004.00pm and Thursday 16th February 2.00 – 4.00pm.

• Crib Club (Cribbage card game) – new players welcomeThursday 9th February 2.004:00pm. Please bring your own board and cards if you have them.

• Scrabble Club Last Thursday of each month from 2.00 -4.00pm. Thursday 23rd February. All welcome.

Thinking of starting up or growing your own business? As a local Business and IP Centre, we have free access to a wide range of business resources at Wroxham library. Find out more at: www.norfolk.gov.uk/bipcnorfolk

• Just a Cuppa, every Tuesday 10.00 – 12pm. Come along for a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.

• Our Bounce and Rhyme sessions take place on Wednesday at 10.30am. No need to book just drop in and sing along!

• Story Explorers, is a reading adventure for children aged 0 – 5. To sign up and find out more, simply visit the library and speak to a member of staff .

• Family History – Use our free access to Find My Past any time the library is open. Drop -in on Wednesday and Friday evenings between 4.00pm and 6.00pm to get advice from Diane, our family and local history expert.

• Book one 60 or 120 minute session per day on a computer Contact the library on 01603 782560.

• Return items through the drop box or self -service kiosks

• Download the FREE Spydus app to check out books on your smartphone

Download eBooks, audio books, newspapers and magazines by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk/ libraries

Use our self -service Baby Weigh Scales on request.

Housebound Library Service

If you are unable to get out to the library to get your library books, we can bring them to you! Details from the library.

Our normal opening hours are below, though please check for updates on our Facebook and Webpages. We have further extended our opening hours with the Open Library service – contact the library for more information.

• Monday: Closed

• Tuesday: 10 - 7

• Wednesday: 10- 7

• Thursday: 10-7

• Friday: 10-7

• Saturday: 10- 4

Sunday: Closed www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries

Visit our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/ wroxhamlibraryofficial for updates on events and activities.

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T: 01603 717681 tracey@wacbook.co.uk